Walk to highlight those who live with long-term pain

Richard’s Ramble will be a 36-mile journey from Settle to Bradford to raise awareness for Rethinking Pain, a community-based service supporting adults living with long-term pain across Bradford and Craven.

The public is invited to join Richard’s Ramble on Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28, a walk that aims to highlight the often unseen experiences of those living with persistent pain.

One in four adults live with long-term pain, and many suffer in silence – misunderstood, under-supported and unseen.

People will be to take part in a walk along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Here is a section of the canal between Silsden and Kildwick (Image: Submitted)

One of the organisers, from Keighley Healthy Living, said: “Richard’s Ramble is more than a walk. It’s a movement aiming to spark conversation, reduce stigma and remind those who live with long-term pain that they are not alone.

The walk is happening during Pain Awareness Month, which is nationally recognised to raise awareness of pain, and how it may affect people’s everyday lives.

The route from Settle to Bradford and Beyond spans two days and will finish in Laisterdyke.

The route has been divided into eight manageable legs of varying terrain, with some more challenging and others more accessible and suitable for people with limited mobility.

Richard’s Ramble will use the Leeds and Liverpool Canal path from Gargrave through Skipton, Silsden, Keighley, Bingley, and Shipley, before culminating in a flat, accessible stretch from Shipley to Laisterdyke, Bradford (BD3), giving walkers an opportunity to take in the beauty of the Bradford countryside, celebrating Bradford City of Culture 2025.

People are invited to come as they are, whether they want to walk 10 metres, for 10 minutes or 10 miles, or the entire route alongside walk organiser Richard Cuthbert.

There are many ways to get involved:

• Walk a section of the route that suits your ability
• Cheer Richard on at the start in Settle, the midway point in Keighley, or the finish in Laisterdyke
• Support online by sharing the event and raising awareness of long-term pain

For full information, including a map of the route and some accessible sections, visit rethinkingpain.org/richards-ramble or contact info@rethinkingpain.org

Rethinking Pain, which is led by Keighley Healthy Living in partnership with other organisations, is a service that supports adults living with long-term pain in Bradford and Craven, offering one-to-one coaching, group workshops, peer support, creative and movement therapies, diet and relaxation sessions.